Malibu, California — A 51-year-old chef who spent 25 years working at the prestigious Nobu Malibu restaurant was killed early Saturday morning after a Range Rover allegedly slammed into his parked sedan outside the restaurant along Pacific Coast Highway.
Ryo Uchimiya was sitting inside his vehicle at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Oct. 3, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and reports from local news outlets. He had reportedly arrived early for work and was napping in his car before his shift when the crash occurred.
The longtime chef was a married father of two.
Range Rover Crashed Into Uchimiya’s Parked Car
According to authorities, the Range Rover struck the back of Uchimiya’s sedan while he was parked outside Nobu Malibu. The driver was identified as a 16-year-old boy, authorities said. A witness described the teenager’s reaction after the collision, saying:
“he looked very young and very confused.”
The circumstances surrounding what led to the crash remain under investigation. Surveillance footage of the incident reportedly shows the Range Rover plowing into the rear of Uchimiya’s sedan, sending his vehicle forward.
The impact then triggered a chain reaction involving two additional cars parked in front of Uchimiya’s vehicle, according to the report.
Uchimiya Had Worked at Nobu for 25 Years
Uchimiya was a longtime member of the Nobu Malibu team and had worked at the restaurant for a quarter of a century.
Nobu Malibu is known for its upscale Japanese-inspired cuisine and has long been associated with celebrity clientele and visitors seeking high-end dining along the Southern California coast.
For Uchimiya, however, the restaurant had been much more than a workplace. He had reportedly built a career there spanning 25 years and was preparing for another shift when the crash occurred.
His decision to arrive early that morning ultimately placed him inside his vehicle when the collision happened.
Restaurant Staff Rally Around His Family
The chef’s death has left colleagues and restaurant staff grieving. The manager of Nobu Malibu said employees were doing everything they could to support Uchimiya’s family during the difficult period following his death.
“Obviously, it’s been a very, very difficult day for so many people,” the manager added.
Uchimiya’s death was particularly painful for coworkers who had known him throughout his decades at the restaurant.
His family now faces the loss of a husband, father and longtime professional whose career had become closely connected with the Malibu restaurant.
Investigation Into the Crash Continues
Authorities have not announced any criminal charges in connection with the collision. No charges had been filed as of the reports, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the early-morning crash, including what happened immediately before the Range Rover struck Uchimiya’s vehicle.
The surveillance footage could also play an important role in determining how the collision unfolded.
For now, the incident remains a devastating loss for Uchimiya’s family, friends and the colleagues who spent years working alongside him at Nobu Malibu.
The crash also serves as a tragic reminder of how quickly an ordinary morning can turn deadly, particularly on busy roads such as Pacific Coast Highway.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking crash? Share your condolences for Ryo Uchimiya and his family in the comments.
